The old Rountree Grocery was operated by Frank Rountree, whose wife Nita ran the post office. The Elam-Egypt Baptist Church can be seen in the background. As to the origin of Egypt’s name: Confederate Major General Lafayette McLaws purchased 1572 acres in Effingham County in January 1870. His daughter, Virginia, wrote that the plantation was “named Egypt because of the fine corn raised there. The house was quite large, two stories and a very high attic–a nice porch downstairs and upstairs with columns…(there were) eight large rooms with high ceilings, large closets in each, and every one with a nice fireplace. In those days there were no toilet facilities, no electric lights. There was an outdoor kitchen, also one on the large back porch.”
Lafayette McLaws, Major General, CSA (15 January 1821 – 24 Jul7 1897) Public Domain Image Courtesy Library of Congress
For more about General McLaws, see John C. Oeffinger’s wonderful book, A Soldier’s General: Major General Lafayette McLaws, Chapel Hill, UNC Press, 2002.
Vanishing Georgia: Photographs by Brian Brown 
My grandparents we the Howard’s back in early 1900s
I lived there until I was 19,moved away in 1974 or 75. I’m familiar with the term “BFE”. Many, many years ago I was told there was a boarding house, train. depot and a sawmill there..
Second reply..First ones disappeared
I lived there until I was 19. I moved away in 1974 or 75. We still have the old place.I know of the “BFE” saying. I was told that many,many ,many years ago there was a boarding house, train depot and a sawmill there.
It was a general store, video rental, and pizza shop until it closed in 1997 or 98. Also, Egypt, GA is the origin of “BFE”. It was unplottable for decades until the caution light was added.
This interests me because this area was named Egypt before 1870. It is referenced in historical books from the 1860’s. I wonder how long it has actually been in existence.
I am a relative of the Rountree’s My mother was a Rountree.
I would love to know the history of that town! Wow.